en |
Seasonal Variations of pH and Heavy Metals Content in Soil of Selected Housing Estates in Ogun State, Nigeria
AMUJO, BT; ADEOFUN, CO; OGUNTOKE, O; BABALOLA, OA; TOWOLAWI, AT & OJEKUNLE, ZO
Abstract
There is a necessity to assess soil properties with the view to determining soil qualities relative to
pollution and sustainability of ecosystem functions and plant productivity regardless of the scale. Soil samples (six
points per site at 0-15 cm depth) from six selected housing estates across Ogun State were assessed for soil pH and
heavy metals pollution in two dry and rainy seasons. The soil samples were digested using standard methods and
analysed for seven selected metals: Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cd using AAS. The data obtained were subjected to
descriptive and inferential statistics. Concentrations (mg/ kg) of the analysed metals were observed to vary from the
lowest in the 2nd rainy season to the highest in 1st dry season respectively as Pb: 3.57 ± 0.02 to 39.87±0.47, Cd:
0.32±0.03 to 2.65±1.02, Mg: 11.94 ± 0.76 to 204.50 ± 15.02, Fe: 22.79 ± 0.45 to 303.50±16.52, Cu: 0.95±0.21 to
6.02±1.12, Zn: 0.12 ± 0.04 to 12.75±0.68, and Ni: 2.38 ± 0.33 to 33.89±0.37. There were indications that the soil
samples were comparatively less polluted in the rainy seasons.
Keywords
soil qualities; ecosystem function; dry and rainy seasons; Nigeria
|